Netflix's documentary series The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare has topped the streaming charts, but for viewers seeking more true crime content without a subscription, STV Player offers several historic case studies for free.
Netflix's Idaho Murders documentary
The three-episode series, released on July 29, has remained in the top 10 since its debut. It provides heartbreaking insights into the lives of four college students murdered in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022, featuring interviews with family, friends, and detectives.
The documentary also reveals new details on how local police and the FBI tracked down killer Bryan Kohberger through DNA, video footage, and cell phone reception. Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison after accepting a plea deal in 2025, though the motive for the attack remains unknown.
Free true crime on STV Player
For those who have finished the Netflix series, STV Player offers a range of free true crime documentaries, including the following:
- Fred and Rose West – A three-part series examining the couple's relationship and killings, covering at least 12 murders between 1967 and 1987 in Gloucestershire, including their first court appearance in June 1994.
- Aileen - Life and Death of a Serial Killer – A 90-minute documentary by filmmaker Nick Broomfield on Aileen Wuornos, who received the death penalty in 2002 after killing and robbing seven male clients while engaged in street prostitution in Florida.
- Green River Killer: Hunting the Monster – A four-part series on Gary Ridgway, convicted of murdering 49 women in Washington between 1982 and 1998. He avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty in 2003 and helping police find victims' remains.
- Jeffrey Dahmer: Killer Cannibal – A four-part series exploring Dahmer's childhood and upbringing, covering his 17 murders and his nickname, the Butcher of Milwaukee.
Crime Files with David Wilson
The final recommendation is a 10-episode series featuring criminologist David Wilson, who analyzes serial killers and topics like Scottish prisons, forensics, and evidence disposal. The first episode focuses on serial killers Peter Manuel and Peter Tobin.
